Benkunskas weighs bid for second term as Vilnius mayor

Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas says he is still considering whether to seek a second term, LRT reported Thursday.

“I’m still thinking about it intensively. Thank you for your interest,” Benkunskas told reporters when asked whether he had decided to run in the capital’s mayoral election. Last week, he said he would make a decision soon.

Benkunskas won the 2023 Vilnius mayoral election, receiving the support of 52 percent of voters in the second round.

Several parties have already announced their candidates. The Liberal Movement has nominated Simonas Gentvilas, the Freedom Party has put forward current deputy mayor and party leader Vytautas Mitalas, and the National Alliance has nominated its leader, Vytautas Sinica.

Member of Parliament Artūras Zuokas has said he will run as an independent. Vilnius city council member Aleksandras Nemunaitis has also announced his bid. The Union of Nation and Justice has nominated journalist and former television presenter Kristupas Krivickas.

The non-parliamentary Lithuanian Regions Party intends to nominate Violeta Fominienė-Salemonė, founder of the Vardan Salininkų community and a representative of the Children’s Eldership in Naujininkai eldership.

Municipal council and mayoral elections are scheduled for March 7, 2027.